The Sovereign – Chapter 125

Volume Seven: Iron Horses Shock the World

Imperial Campaign

She leads the imperial campaign, while she secretly follows…

In the empty Fengluan Hall, red tallies hung high with flickering lamp shadows. Qin Junlan stood alone in the great hall, gazing absently at the dragon throne. She ascended to the throne at twelve, and during her twelve-year reign, she governed diligently, gradually developing Ji Kingdom from an unremarkable state into the strongest among four kingdoms. From childhood, she studied military texts, and after taking personal control of the government, she reorganized the army, establishing the Red Armor Army, using unique military methods to transform them into fierce warriors capable of fighting ten to one.

This high position, how many coveted its power, yet knew nothing of the exhaustion and loneliness of ruling and strategizing for the realm. Qin Junlan lightly touched the dragon throne, never before wanting so desperately to leave it. The dragon throne was cold, bringing her nothing but endless responsibilities and burdens; through these years, she never had a moment’s ease.

She thought she would live her whole life for this throne, never expecting to meet a life companion, only to have fate make them opponents, enduring life and death trials, now separated. In fact, besides leaving an imperial edict, after returning to palace, Qin Junlan had secretly prepared a decree naming an heir, deciding that after the war, she would pass the throne to Guo’er, then disappear into obscurity with Liu Qianxun, roaming freely without concerning herself with state affairs.

“You should understand that Xun’er’s pain of losing her brother is no less than yours.” Yun Jin appeared in Fengluan Hall at some point, carrying a cloak, walking to the dragon throne to drape it over Qin Junlan, saying gently, “Imperial Sister, autumn has come, the weather is cool.”

“Jin’er, did I truly err in being too cold to her, distancing myself, making her despair and finally choose to leave?”

She needed just a little time, just a bit would have been enough, but Liu Qianxun didn’t wait. If she hadn’t been so cold after the tragedy, making Liu Qianxun lose hope, would everything be different? The palace was already like a cage to her, and besides relying on her, what else did she have? But now no amount of regret and self-blame could bring Liu Qianxun back.

The Empress Dowager was dead, Xun’er had left, and it seemed she was the only one left in this world. At this thought, a sharp pain struck her chest, and bitterness spread throughout her body. She collapsed powerlessly on the dragon throne, her gaze unfocused.

“Please forgive Jin’er’s disrespect. The rift between the Empress Dowager and Imperial Consort caused her pain for years, only finding peace in her final moment. Perhaps without this accident, the Empress Dowager would never have resolved her inner conflict. I could sense that her last smile carried happiness and relief. But what of He Xi? Only nineteen, full of patriotic fervor, yet unable to return to his homeland or his beloved before ending his life. For you, you lost a mother; for Xun’er, she lost warmth and blood kin during her hardest times – how could her pain be any less than yours?”

“I’ve heard the story of her and He Xi, how could I not know their feelings? I just couldn’t accept Mother’s sudden passing, so suddenly…” Qin Junlan stood up, the cloak sliding from her shoulders, as the distant lantern light grew dim and hazy, wondering where Liu Qianxun might be.

“Jin’er understands your pain, but Xun’er loves you so deeply that she takes everything you say and do to heart. Perhaps she thinks you blame her, and she’s too full of self-reproach to face you, unable even to find reasons to defend herself.”

“Blame me, blame me for hiding away, avoiding everything…” Qin Junlan felt an ache in her heart as grief triggered her old illness. With improper care, her health was deteriorating, yet she struggled to hide her weakness from others.

“Don’t blame yourself – when grief runs so deep, who can be blamed? Jin’er has taken the liberty of sending people to search for her.”

“And?” Qin Junlan seemed to see a glimmer of hope, but Yun Jin shook her head dejectedly, “If she wishes to disappear, even searching heaven and earth won’t reveal her whereabouts.”

“Xun’er has always been this way – clear in her loves and hates, stubborn and fierce, never easily yielding, ah…”

Yun Jin sighed softly, feeling helpless. From her position, there was little she could do. What should and shouldn’t be done, she had done it all. The rest could only be left to fate.

Qin Junlan knew her body wasn’t what it used to be, and with Liu Qianxun’s departure leaving her without will to live, facing the cold palace daily was torture. That’s why she decided to use the military campaign to distract from her grief.

News of the imperial campaign quickly spread throughout Ji Kingdom. While the people praised her, some worried quietly. War was never what common people wished to see, but the prospect of their country becoming strong enough to unify the realm was still inspiring.

Clad in golden armor with a sharp sword at her side, golden dragon patterns winding upward like dragons soaring in the sky, Qin Junlan wore bright yellow battle dress, showing both nobility and severity as she burned incense to honor ancestors and offered wine to heaven.

Outside Jidu, fifty thousand Red Armor soldiers gathered at the Xuanmen, their crimson armor radiating power like a rainbow. Their mighty presence filled all of Jidu, with soldiers’ morale high as the court officials came to bid farewell, all revering their empress who ruled the realm.

Qin Junlan stood atop the war chariot, her gaze fierce as she surveyed the troops. Drawing her precious sword and pointing it skyward, she declared, “We shall not return without victory! Unite the realm, win the people’s hearts!”

“We shall not return without victory! Unite the realm, win the people’s hearts!”

The soldiers shouted in unison, standing together in formation, ready to campaign with their sovereign, determined to return triumphant. The resounding slogan stirred their spirits, unifying their hearts and raising morale.

Yun Jin led the court officials to the city gate, performing a kneeling bow to Qin Junlan, “This humble sister respectfully bids farewell to Imperial Sister, may the Red Armor Army return victorious.”

“We respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty!” The officials bowed deeply as Qin Junlan’s voice rang out again, “In Our absence, the Wise Princess Consort shall govern. You must serve loyally without treacherous thoughts. By Our decree, the Wise Princess Consort may punish corrupt officials above and execute treasonous ministers below. Any who rebel need not be reported – execute them immediately!”

“This humble sister obeys!”

“We obey, long live Your Majesty, ten thousand years!”

As carriages and horses stirred up dust, the battle flag bearing the character “Ji” danced in the wind. Qin Junlan sat in her carriage with Li Yue at her side, endless scenery passing by, though she had no heart to appreciate it.

The army’s destination was Yuzhou. After Yun Jin’s clever decision to abandon Qixian, Yu Kingdom had abandoned their siege, quietly withdrawing troops and reclaiming Qixian. Yuzhou held the most central position, with Yu Kingdom to the southeast, Qing Kingdom holding the southwest, and Luo Kingdom in the northwest. Geographically, the four kingdoms formed balance points in all directions, with Ji Kingdom having slightly more territory, followed by Yu Kingdom.

Therefore, for campaigning across the realm, the main camp had to be established in Yuzhou.

As the army moved out, their pace was slower than during the southern tour, to preserve the soldiers’ strength and maintain steady progress, requiring them to make camp each night. Campfires rose gradually as military camps sprang up, with Qin Junlan’s command tent in the center, protected by the three armies.

Darkness spread as dark clouds obscured the full moon. On a nearby hillside, Liu Qianxun sat astride a fine horse, gazing at the military camp from afar. Already skilled in tracking, following the army was even easier for her. She cleverly avoided all sentries and patrols, always finding a spot to watch Qin Junlan’s command tent from a distance.

Although knowing she could offer no help in the war, knowing she could do nothing, she still couldn’t help following Qin Junlan. Others might not know the extent of Qin Junlan’s injuries, but only she knew that without proper rest and treatment, it would only worsen the effects of her old wounds.

At this crucial moment, she had chosen to lead the campaign personally, as if seeking her own death. Even across the darkness and distance, Liu Qianxun could sense Qin Junlan’s despair, but she couldn’t appear. She had no face to meet her, and moreover, couldn’t appear in the military camp opposing her own country.

Even if it was just silent companionship, she wanted to watch over her. Call it selfish if you will, but only seeing Qin Junlan safe could put her mind at ease.

A violent fit of coughing came from the command tent. Only in the dead of night when alone did Qin Junlan dare to cough openly. The daily suppression, combined with emotional turmoil, had already made her body unwell.

“Your Majesty, you’re coughing again.” Li Yue entered carrying medicine soup, unable to let the soldiers know Qin Junlan was campaigning while ill, she could only personally brew the medicine.

“It’s nothing, just a minor ailment.” Qin Junlan drank the medicine in one go, all her attention on maps and troop deployments, not even noticing the taste of the medicine.

“Your Majesty, this servant was with you in Shennong Valley, you can’t hide it from me. It’s late, please rest.” Li Yue worried endlessly, clearly remembering Guiguzi saying Qin Junlan’s fundamental injury could shorten her life – the thought made her shudder.

“You mustn’t speak carelessly and shake army morale, or I’ll have to punish you.” Qin Junlan’s lips curved slightly, playfully threatening her. Li Yue just pouted, “This servant would need someone to tell first.”

Qin Junlan’s smile faded as she gazed outside the tent, unconsciously walking out. Moonlight fell on her face, her beautiful features deep with worry, longing spreading in her heart, her deep pupils reflecting the moon’s beauty. Her long hair bound in a topknot showed a touch of free spirit, but beneath lay much desolation.

Where was Xun’er? Was she well?

From a distance, Liu Qianxun bent low to observe the figure before the command tent. She was in darkness while Qin Junlan stood in light; she could see Qin Junlan’s figure clearly, but Qin Junlan could never see where she was. Her heart felt content yet was sliced by a chill, like flesh cut by a knife, aching fiercely.

They were so close, yet worlds apart.

“Li Yue, are we near Qixia Town now?” Qin Junlan looked around, feeling the surroundings familiar. During the previous southern tour, they had hurried past missing much scenery, but now with the army’s advance, she could appreciate the previously missed views again.

“Yes, but we’re taking the main road, not entering the town.”

“Will we pass by Qixia Valley?” Qin Junlan vaguely remembered Liu Qianxun mentioning that Qixia Valley was as beautiful as a fairyland, and she had always regretted not seeing it. But now she came again, alone.

“We’ll pass Qixia Valley tomorrow, Your Majesty. Would you like to visit the valley?”

“I always wanted to take Xun’er there. I once thought after retiring, I’d take her traveling, with Qixia Valley as our first destination. I even thought about living there in seclusion, but…” Qin Junlan forced a bitter smile, blaming herself for not handling her emotions better, “cough, cough, cough…”

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please don’t grieve anymore. Your illness cannot handle strong emotions.” Li Yue continuously pressed Qin Junlan’s back, helping her breathe easier.

“Li Yue, which hurts more – separation in life or death?”

Li Yue’s gaze flickered with sorrow as her hand unconsciously touched the dagger Chen Qing had given her, “For this servant, nothing hurts more than separation by death…”

“The living hurt, the separated grieve… cough, cough…”

“Your Majesty, please come rest.” Li Yue supported Qin Junlan back into the tent.

Liu Qianxun unconsciously stepped forward, forgetting the steep slope below until she felt loose soil and rocks, stopping only when her foot met empty air.

“Yan’er…” Even across such distance, she could sense Qin Junlan’s wavering weakness, and her heart sank with the night.

The horse beside her seemed to sense her sorrow, nudging her arm with its head. Liu Qianxun turned to look at the steed – completely black with starlike eyes, highly intelligent. Though unremarkable among other horses, it had caught Liu Qianxun’s discerning eye and become her mount.

She stroked its mane, resting her face against it slightly, “Heixing [black star], I never thought you would be the one keeping me company in the end.”

Moonlight fell on her cold features, her unfathomable eyes like the dark night, filled with endless solitude.

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